a day late and a dollar short »
Action that was taken too late and too feeble to be of any use.
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apple does not fall far from the tree »
A child grows up to be very similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.1842, E. A. Freidlaender (translator), Frederika Bremer (author), The Neighbours, ch. 10:It is impossible to look at Madam Rhen, without at once making the conclusion that she is pleasantness, hospitality, and loquacity itself; nor can one look upon her daughter Renetta without thinking, "the apple does not fall far from the tree!"1978, Dr. Isador Rosenfeld, "Doctor Asks Patient
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bad joke »
A situation that is badly planned, or illogical.
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bank night »
An event where patrons are enticed to buy entry tickets into some venue, for example a movie theater, with the anticipation that they will be entered into a drawing to win an amount of money if their ticket is drawn and they are on-site at the time of the winning.
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been there, done that »
An assertion that the speaker has personal experience or knowledge of a particular place or topic and is now bored.
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beer goggles »
The illusion that people are more attractive, brought on by alcohol consumption.
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burst someone's bubble »
To disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable.
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cross my heart »
A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.
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crying shame »
A situation that is considered to be a disgrace, or deplorable.
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dead tree edition »
Paper version of a publication that can be found online.
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do the math »
You can do the calculation yourself, with the implication that you don't have to trust someone else's assertions.
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every time »
At each occasion that.
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eye for an eye »
Compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.
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eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth »
Compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.
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first among equals »
A person or position that if formally equivalent to others in a group, but is superior in some attribute.
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for the nonce »
For the time being, with the expectation that the situation may change.
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go jump in the lake »
Used to tell a person that to go away, or that their request will not be met.
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go mad »
Used to indicate that the second verb represents an action that is out of character.
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gold standard »
A test or measure of comparison that is considered ultimate or ideal.
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greener pastures »
Any place or condition that is more favorable or beneficial.
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gut factor »
Feelings about what feels right or wrong, good or bad. An inner persuasion that one may feel convinced is the appropriate decision.
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have an axe to grind »
To have a dispute, resentment, or grudge, sometimes with a disposition to act on that resentment covertly; to have a bias; to take issue with something.
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in for a penny, in for a pound »
Expressing recognition that one must, having started something, see it through to its end, rather than stopping short thereof; accepting that one must
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jump the gun »
To trade securities based on information that is not yet public; to trade on inside information.
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Loose cannon »
A cannon that breaks loose during battle or a storm and causes serious damage to the ship and its crew.
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mixed message »
Any communication that is contradictory, inconsistent, or unclear, especially in its motive or intent.
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opposite number »
A person who holds a position in an organization that corresponds to that held by another person in an other organization; a counterpart.
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pitch a tent »
To have an erection that shows through the trousers.
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revenge is a dish best served cold »
An expression that emotional detachment is ideal when taking revenge, as one is righting the wrongs that have been done to the doer.
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shoot off at the mouth »
To disclose some information that was supposed to be secret.
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showstopper »
A performance or segment of a theatrical production that induces a positive reaction strong enough to pause the production.
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so-called »
So named; called by such a name, with a very strong connotation that the item is not worthy of that name.
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suck in »
To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.
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suck into »
To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.
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surprise surprise »
An indication that the unsurprising happened, especially contrary to someone's hopes or assertions.
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tell all »
To reveal everything, particularly information that is normally withheld.
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the more things change, the more they stay the same »
A proverb making the observation that turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than to cement the status quo.
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there but for the grace of God go I »
A recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing/kindness/luck bestowed by fate or the Divine.Man's fate is in God's hands.More generally, our fate is not entirely in our own hands.
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tuits »
Virtual tokens for an amount of time or attention that a particular issue would need to resolve.
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watch this space »
An indication that a development will follow.
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wishful thinking »
The illusion that what one would like is actually true.
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you can hang your hat on that »
It's something to put faith in, to rely upon or trust (when used in a positive connotation).
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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